What type of application is considered portable power?

Any use case where the energy source needs to be carried along with the equipment is often described as a portable power application. Examples include mobile power generators, delivery trucks, and everything in between, such as forklifts or even lawn care equipment.

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Is Cryo technology competitive with other methods of portable power?

Our quick refueling capability is not only competitive, but in many cases allows our Cryo technology to be superior to the alternatives. After quick refueling, the two other most important factors for portable power tend to be the specific energy being carried by the energy source and the amount of that energy converted into usable work. In terms of energy carried per kilogram, our Cryo based material is very competitive with Lead, Nickel, and Lithium-Ion based battery cells. Battery cells do have a small advantage in the percentage of energy that can be delivered for mechanical output.

The energy delivered chart (click image for larger version) shows the example of electricity input for motive power (transportation). Starting with the same 100 kWh of electricity from the grid for all 3 methods, battery cells (shown in silver) deliver an overall capacity of around 75%. The Cryo based cycle without waste heat (represented in green) is lower at just over 50% delivered. When waste heat is included (blue + red), the capacity of our proprietary process is just under 72%. Our technology provides up to 95% of the energy delivery capabilities as existing battery based systems. *It should be noted that electricity and waste heat are two separate forms of energy, but since our process is thermal based, our Cryo can utilize the waste heat directly where as the battery cells themselves create waste heat which must be removed by consuming additional energy (usually battery management systems combined with HVAC components).

Any more differences between our Cryo Technology and batteries?

Yes, Cryo requires a little more additional space but has a lower overall mass. Think of battery cells as lead bricks and Cryo material as water. Now, the water will occupy more physical space than the lead bricks for the same amount of energy capacity. However, the water will have a lower overall mass (less weight). Also, as the Cryo material is converted into mechanic output, the mass continues to be reduced resulting in higher efficiency due to carrying less weight. Unfortunately for the lead bricks (batteries), regardless of the amount of energy being carried, the same high mass (weight) is always present.

As mentioned above, our Cryo cycle has a significant advantage in refueling capabilities. Again, using the water analogy from before, liquids are easy to transport, even very colds ones like our Cryo material. Our cycle provides refueling times of just a few minutes, where as the battery cells will require anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the charging rate and state of the batteries.

Are you replacing diesel and gasoline?

It depends on the application itself. We can use our Cryo based expansion design to serve as the prime mover, with a generator or pump serving as the secondary form of energy. By replicating the prime mover/secondary configuration from existing use cases, our cycle can provide power for centrally fueled applications, including on site construction equipment and localized fleets.

However, we also can supplement an existing fuel powered unit by forming a type of combined cycle application, similar in function to modern power plants. For remotely located generators, like those sited at oil and gas wells, a reduction in fuel consumption along with emergency back up power capabilities can provide a massive reduction in operating expenses.